> In the new study, the gene for telomerase was inserted inside three types of> cells that don't normally carry the enzyme -- retinal pigment epithelial> cells, foreskin fibroblasts, and the vascular endothelial cells -- or those> lining blood vessels. In contrast with cultured cells that have telomere> shortening, the genetically engineered cells continued to vigorously divide> and have long telomeres.>> The treated cell population doubled at least 20 more times than normal and> continues to grow, according to the report. The new findings confirm that> telomeres are the "clock" that keeps cells from growing out of control,> according to an editorial by Titia de Lange, of the Laboratory for Cell> Biology and Genetics at The Rockefeller University in New York. And that> mechanism has all "the makings of a powerful tumor suppressor system," de> Lange wrote.>> "The results should strengthen the determination of those who are searching> for telomerase inhibitors as potential anti-cancer agents." SOURCE: Science> (1998;279:349-352, 334-335)

What about finding single treatment drugs that will do a quick flood of the body
with telomerase to rebuild the telomeres, and then flush the drugs from the
system. With a short term exposure for rebuilding telomeres, long term effects on
cancer probabilty would be low.